Cold Plasma Disinfection
Cold plasma decontamination is a promising nonthermal microbial inactivation method. It involves the application of electricity to a gas, creating ions, radiation, and excited molecules that can eliminate pathogens without affecting the product.
Sector
Electric Benefit
Agricultural
Industrial
Energy Efficiency
(Reduces kWh)
Water Benefits
Reduces Water Use
Technology Readiness
Concept/Prototype
How Does It Work
The produce or container is placed in a chamber with a gas, which could be air, argon, nitrogen, oxygen, helium, or some mixture thereof.
Electricity is applied to the gas; the impact of electrons can generate reactive chemicals that will interact with and deactivate pathogens.
The application of cold plasma has a negligible effect on the product matrix, neither altering the sensory qualities of the food nor leaving any form of residue.